Differential-power transmission device



Oct. le, 1928.

mmm

- J. W. LYONS DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed June 25, 1928 12' Sheets-sheet 1 w Imi 1 L mui IMM! ,rl ,unal

0.2Lv 16, 192s. www4 J. w; LYoNs DIFFERENTIAL'POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE 4 l i V l I l l fcr; 16,192 www@ J. W. LYONS DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed June 25, 1928 l2 Sheets-Shree*I 3' A" II LI f.' f `1 l; 23g '1 E L jade/2%? ct. 16,1928. llgl J. W. LYONS DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION-DEVI Filed June 25, 1928 1g sheets-sheet 4 mf@ Imm ff Q fave/257 ct. 16, 1928. v li J. w. LYON@ DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE knee June 25. 1928 12 Sheets-sheet 5 Oct. v16, 1928. l',688,94

J. W. LYONS i DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed June 25, 1928 12 Sheets-Shea?. 6

O'ct. 16, 1928. 519 ,wl

' J. WfLYONS DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE l Filed June 25, 1928 l2 Shees-Shei 7 oct. 16, 1928.

J. W. LYONS 'DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed June 25, l928\ v l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 F7/5 2@ y a5 1 53 ,.1

/yy f' l I "I E: l "fly, .xx

l* lcz@ l -3 Oct. 16, 1928. LGSSW J. W. LYoNs DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed June 25, 1928 l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 rILSSM l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 Oct. 16, 1928.

' J. W. LYONS DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed June 25, 1928 l ,l- M l v Oct. 16, 1928. EENIQE i J. W. LYONS DIFFERENTIAL PowER TRANSMISSION EEvIcE Filed June 25, 1928 12 Seetspsheet I1 will 1.5 lll' jew/? 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 l J. W. LYONS DIFFERENTIAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE June 25, 1928 Filed 0dn 16, 1925s.

n nesj; 012.5

JAMES Vf. LYGNS, OF

OAK ARK, LLINOIS.

DIFFERENTIAL-POXVER TRL-XNSMXSSION DEVICE.

Application fled June 25,

This invention relates to differential power transi iission devices ot the al type comprising` rotatable members mounted in axial alignment Wit-h eacli other, and comprising a iirst member adapted to be power driven` and a second member, transin on shafts mounted i spaced relation to said rotatable members so as to permit planeta/r. movement thereof about said rotatable members and-also on their oivn axesn means rendered operative bv rotation et said iirst rotatable member for imparting planetary movement to said transmission shafts about said rotatable members and also on their own axes construct-ed and arranged to permit outward movement ot said 'ransmission shafts under centi A- igal force, and driving` connection between said trans- Y mission shafts and the second rotatable member.

The vobject or" the present invention is to provide a differential power transmission def vice oi the general type specified in which the means tor imparting rotation to the transmission shafts and from said transmission sliaits to the second rotatable member compr' s intermesliing gears and means rendered operative by centrifugal force pro-duced by planeta r rotation ot said transmission sli i about said rotatable members for effec-ng and maintaining pitch-line engagement of gears in operation.

To effect the objects ot the invention, a transmission device embodying;` mtv invention and improvements comprises the various eatures, combinations oi features and details oit construction hereinafter described and claimed.

ln tbe acomparing drawings, in which my invention is "ii-allg',7 illustrated:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation ot a power transmission C evi ce embodyingmy invention and improvcmens, tbe sec 'on being; taken substantiall-g, on line l-l Fie.

l C? Figures 2 3, e, 5, t3 ann are vations su i. tialljv on the line #1 -4l, 6 6 and 7 7 ot Fi tivelv;

8 is a vien7 substantmllj,vv similar to Fig, l.7 o'l modiiied iory. t"

ti ansmission dcvice embodying my invention and improvements.

Serial No. 287,921

i l, illustrating' still another modification.

,c ires lo, l?, i8 and 19 are sectional elevations substantialli7 on tbe lines l6-l6 H l, 18248 and 19-19 of Fig. l5, respeci tivelj,

i* igure 20 is a view substantiallv similar to l5, illustrating a monfieation of the 'ansmission device shown therein, the secbeing substantiallyv on the line 20e-2O 0In 2l; and

gure 2l is a sectional elevation taken on i e 2 2l oiC Fig. Q0. l

Describing the invention with particular reference to the drawings and referring, in

insta nce7 to Figures l to 7, inclusive` natos the frame ot tbe device as a y omprising` a base portion u adapted to be bol ted or otherwise secured to a suitable foundation or support, end Walls e, and side Walls as which, tor purposes pres/entl)7 apparent are constructed and arranged to t'orm an enclosed chamber in Which the operative parts ot the device and parts directl \,7 associated therewith are mounted.

To provide for assembliirg7 the transmission device and to render the parts there-at accessible the frame or casing is made separate upper and lower parts, the parting' line being' designated by the reference character at? said parts being detafhablv connected by of bolts a5, in a usual manner.

A. shown, my improved poiver transmission device is designed and adapted for in parting` rotation from a shaft l, which may exemplify tie shaft ot an electric motor or other rotatable power driven member, to a shaft 2 which ma)7 exei'uplity any rotating part, at a ditierential speed vfor R. l?.

compared. with the shatt or other rotatable member l. is shown? also` the rotate members l and 2 are mounted in bearings med in hubs or bosses o, a7, supported on ie end Walls a@ :25 es ectively, or the trame ug the bearing' liub or boss c being` is C+. :an

si esie' end ivall a', and the hub or boss a7 beingformed integral with tlic end ivall a2.

For purposes of convenient referencen the shafts or rot table members l and 2 vwill be designated, respectively7 the i'irst and the second rotatable members.

lhat I now consider the preferable emmodiment ofV my invention comprises plu` ralitv-as shown four transmission shafts 3., 3', 32 and 33, mounted in symmetical spaced relation to the rotatable members l ooited or otherwise detachabl'7 secured to the and 2, so as to permit planetary movement thereof about said rotatable members and also on their own axes, lieyed or otherwise rigidly secured to which are sets of Ayears, designated respectively, #1 1i, fl? and Alg., and 5, 5, 52 and 53, which, in operation, are adapted, respectively, to inter-mesh with gears 6 and 7. The. gear G is secured to and, as shown, is formed integral with the bearing hub or boss c, in which the first rotatable member is mounted, and the gear 7 is formed on a `collar 9 keyed or otherwise secured to the second rotatable member so to ro ate therewith.

As shown, the gears l to i3 and 5 to are spur gears but, my invention contemplates equally the use of other forms of gears, if desired.

The transmission shafts 3 to 33 have operative connection with the first rotatable niember l, constructed and arrim '1i to impart planetary increment thereto about the retatable members l and Q vin the san'ie direction as the firstrotatable member l, while, at the same time, permi'ting sait shafts to move outwardly away from the rotatable mem-bers under centrifugal force due to rotation at high speed of said first rotatable member.

Obviously, due to engagement of the `gears 4L to t3 on the transmission shafts 3 to 33 with the teeth of the fixed gear 6, planetary rotation of said transmission shafts about the rotatable members l and 2 will operate to impart rotation to said transmission shafts on their own axis in the saine direction as the first rotatable member l, and also that sucli arial rotation of said transmission shaftsy through engagement of the gears 5 to 53 with the gear 7 on the rotatable member 2, will impart'rotation to said rotatable member 2, but in a direction opposite to the direction ot' rotation of the first rotatable member l.

1With the described construction, if the gears l to 43 and 5 to 5 are of the same size, no motion will be imparted to the second rotatable member by rot. '-ion of the first inember, whereas, if said sets of are of different sizes, rotation of the first rotatable ieinbcr will impart movement to the second rotatable member at a rate of speed or R. P. lil. different from that of the first member either in the same or opposie direction f first member, as the geenl 5 or larger than the p reisen ely small gears 5 to impart ng rotation to said second rotatable member ni the i :ie direction as the Vfirst rotatable member, and relatively large gears 5 to 53, imparting rotation to said second rot table member in a direction opposite to the rst rotatable member.

rEhe relative di; c; i :t the rs 6 and 7 and of the gears l., resnecel to i3 and 5 vto o Y tively, are the controlling,` factors in thc direction and rate of rotation or R. P. M. of the second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member.

Specifically and preferably, the manner of mounting the transmission shaft-s 3 to 33 isv asvfollows: Secured to the first rotatable member l is what may be designated spider 10, see particularly figs. l provided with peripheral cradles or recessed seats ll, and adjusted over the transmission shafts 3 to 33 between the sets of gears 4 to fl and 5 to 53 are bearing members l2 consisting, as shown, of sleeves made of suitable bearing metal, preferably having low frictional resistance, and which are fitted to the cradles or recessed seats 1l formed in the spider l0 with slight clearance.

ln operation, planetary rotation about the rotatable members l and 2 is imparted to the bearing members l2 and with them to the transmission shafts 3 to by rigid parts 13 of the spider l0 which define the cradles or recess seats ll and whichv extend betweenadjacent bearing members l2, the relation being' preferably such that the initial action of the spider-as rotation of the first rotatable member beginswill be in the nature of a wedging action tending;` to force the bearing,r members f2 and with them the transmission shafts to 33 outwardly, such wedging` action being superseded by Acentrifugal forcel as the speed ofthe first rotatable member increases.

An essential feature of the present invention is the provisionY of means for efecti and maintaining pitcli-line engagementnf in termeshingl `gears in operation, thus maintaining at all times the theoretical engagement of said gears both adapted to reduce the friction between said gears and wear on said gea-rs to a minimum. Y

In what I now consider the preferable einbodiment of my invention, l effect and maintain pitch-line engagement of intermeshing gears by means follows: Secured to the shafts 3 to 33 so as to rotate therewith are rollers lll and l5, the diametersv of which, respectively.y are equal to the pitclrline diameters of the gears 4 to la and 5 to 53, respectively, and opposed to which are circular treads f6 and l? formed, respectively, on what may be designated floating rings i8 and 19, the relation being such that outward moven ment of the transmission. shafts 3. to 83 under centrifugal force due to rotation of the first rotatable member, will. effect contact of the cylindrical surfaces of the rollers 14. and l5 with the treads 1G and l? of the rings 18 and if), respectively. Y

In the preferable construct-ion sh own1 also,

the treads lf3 and l? on the floating r and i9 are maintained concentric ww ams of rotation of the rotatable meml and 2 by means of cylind l and 5, which is lll) vtread 16, to arovide sufficient clearance between the adjacent sides of the rollers 14 and surface 20 to prevent contact thereof in operation, which would tend to .generate heat in the parts due to pressure. ln like manner, the cylindrical surface 21 is sufiiciently smaller than the diameter of a circle inscribed within and tangent to the rollers 15 when in contact with the tread 17, say .O02 of an inch, toprovide sulcient clearance between said rollers 15 and surface 21, to prevent contact ofthe surface of the rollers 15 with the cylindrical surface 21 in operation. f

rlhe rings 18 and 19 are respectively supported by the rollers 1st and 15, being free to turn in either direction with said rollers,

andbeing made of such thickness that their Vouter portions will extend into recesses 22 and A3 formed in proper position in the casing A and so proportioned that they will prevent disengagement of said rings from their respective supporting rollers.

rllhe invention contemplates that the opera-f tive parts of the transmission device shall run in a suitable lubricant and, to this end, the chamber in the frame or casing A of the device, in wnich the operative parts of the device are mounted, will be lled with a suitable lubricant to a level slightly below the lower side of the bearing forthe rotatable member 1 or 2, whichever in a. given case, is the larger.

lil/Thilo l consider the embodiment of my improved transmission device shown in Figs. 1 to 7 of the draw ngs and heretofore described, as the preferable f-orm thereof, l do not desire nor intend to limit myself to the particular construction shown, as the device admits of different modification within the scope of contemplation of my invention. For the purpose of clear and definite illustration, I have, in the drawings, shown 3 differentmodifications, which will now be described, and which, for purposes of convenient reference will be referred to as the first, second and third modifi ations, respectively.

As regards its usual features, and exceptng as hereinafter particularly described and pointed out, the first modification, shown in Figs. 8 to la, inclusive, of the drawings,`is substantially similar in construction and operation to the preferred form of transmission shown in Fi gs. 1 to 7, inclusive, and will readily be understood by skilled mechanics from an inspection of the drawings-particularly in connection with the description of the'preferred form of the device without a further` des ription Vthereof in detail, parts which are the same or substantially similar to corresponding parts of the preferred form of the device, being designated by the same reference characters.

In theV first modification, the transmission shafts 3 to 33 instead of being` driven or rotated by a fixed central gear with which the gears Aito la on the transmission shafts intermesh, as in the pref-erred form of the device, are driven or rotated axially by means of engagement of the gears on said transmission shafts with an internal c'ear 24 formed on a ring secured in fixed position within the chamber formed by the frame or casing A of the device and which surrounds the transmission shafts, with which the gears Ll to 43 on said transmission shafts intermesh.

With the described construction, it is obvious that when planetary movement is imparted to the transmission shafts about the first and second rotatable members 1 and 2- by the spider 10 and the bearing members 12-engagement of the gears il to i3 with the internal gear 24 will impart rotation to the transmission shafts 3 to but in a direction opposite to that in which they will be rotated when driven from a centrally positioned gear, as in the preferred form of the device.

iis in tie preferred form of the device, pitch-line engagement the gears l to 43 on the transmission shafts with the internal gear is defined by Contact of rollers 1li on the transmission shafts with an internal tread 1G formed on the 25, the diameter of the rollers 14 being equal to the pitch diameter of the gears el to 43 and the diameter of the tread lribeing equal to the pitch diameter ofthe internal gear 24.

In accordance with said first modification,

Y also, rotation is imparted to the second rotatable member from t-he transmission shafts by means of the gears 5 to 53 secured thereto which intermesh with an internal gear 28 formed on a flange 29 forming part of a head 30, lreyed or otherwise secured to the second rotatable member 2. Pitch line ment of the gears 5 to 53 with said internal gear 28 is maintained by a set of rollers 15 on the transmission shafts which are adapted to run in contact with an internal tread 1T formed on the flange 29, the diam-eter of the rollers v being equal to the pitch diameter ofthe gears 5 to 53 and the diameter of the tread 17 being equal to the pitch diametei of the internal gear 28.

ln said irst modilication, also, the bearing hub or boss a6, instead of extending beneath the rollers 1Ll and the gears l to e, terminates substantially in lin-e with the proximate side of the ring 25. Also, the collar 9 on which the gear 7 which drives the second rotatable member, is omittet. and mounted in the spaces within the rollers lei and 15 are rollers 33 and 34, the diameters of which, respectively, are sufficiently l smaller, say .002 of an inch than the dianal ters of circles inscribed within and tangent to the rollers 14 and 15when in contact with their respective treads 16 and 17-to provide adequate clearance between the treads vall substantially as in the preferred form of the device.

.ln the second modification, see particularly Figs. to 19, inclusive, the spider 10 and the bearing sleeves 12-Figs. 1 to 7 and 9 to 14-for mounting the transmission shaft-s 3 to 33 and for impartingl planetary rotation thereto about the first and second rotatable members 1 and 2, are entirely dispensed with and the means for mounting and for imparting planetary rotation to said transmission shafts about the first and second rotatable members and upon their own axes are as follows: Secured to the transmission shafts 3 to 33 are sets of gears 4 to 43 and 5 to 53, and sets of rollers 142 and 152, said rollers being arranged at the remote sides of the gears 4 to 43 and 5 to 53, and being adapt ed, respectively, to engage treads 162 and 172 formed, respectively, on a ring secured in fixed position within the chamber defined by the frame or casing A of the device, and on a flange 29 formed ona head 30 secured to the second rotatable member 2.

'llie gears 4 to 43 are adapted to engage the teeth of a gear keyed or otherwise secured to the first rotatable member 1, which will operate, in an obvious manner, to irnpart axial rotation to said gears 4 to 43 and thus to the transmission shafts 3 to Pitchline engagement of said gears is defined by contact of the rollers 142 with the tread 162, the dian'ietersr of the rollers 142 being equal to the pitch diameters of the gears 4 to 4", and the diameter' of trie internal tread 162 being equal to the pitch diameterv of the gear 35 plus twice the pitch diameter of a gear 4 to 43. Also planetary rotation is adapted to be imparted to the transmission shafts 3 Ato and to the gears 4 to 43 and 5 to 53 about the rotatable members 1 and 2 by engagement of the gears 4 to with an intern al gear 24 on the ring 25. The pit-ch diam-l eter oi the internal gear 24 is equal to the dian'ieter of the tread 162, which defines pitch-line engagen'ient of the gears 4 to 43 with said in ternal gear 24 and also with the gear 35.

As shown, also, rotation is adapted to be imparted to the second rotatable member 2 by engagement of the gears 5 to 53 on the transmission shafts with an internal gear se 8 to 14, inclusive, the bearing hub or boss CL3 terminates substantially even with the proximate side of the ring 25 and mounted in tl e space between the end of said hub or boss and the adjacent face of the gear 35, is a roller 37, the diameter of which is slightly smaller, say

.O02 of an inch, than the diameter of' a circle inscribed within and tangent to the rollers 142 when said rollers are in contact with the tread 162 on the ring 25. v

As shown, also, a roller 38 is mounted in the space within the rollers 152, the diameter of said roller being slightly less, say .002 of aninch, than the diameter of a circle inscribed within and tangent tothe rollers 152 when said rollers are in contact with the tread 172.

With the described construction, it is obvious that the'roller 37 and 38 on the first and second rotatable members, respectively, by Contact with the rollers 142 and 152, respectively, on the transmission shafts, will support the transmission shafts 3 to 33 in posin tions corresponding substantially to pitch line engagement of the gears 4 to 43 and 5 to when in positions of rest.

The third modification shown in Figs. 20 and 21 of the drawings, is substantially similar to the second modification shown in Figs. 15 to 19, inclusive, of the drawings, excepting that the second rotatable member .2 instead of being driven by means of an internal gear, is driven by means of a centrally positioned secured to said rotatable member, with which the gears 5 to 53 on the transmission .bafts 3 to 33 engage, and pitch-line engagement of said gears is defined by a floating ring provided with an internal tread opposed to rollers on the transmission shafts, substantially as in the preferred form of the device. Contact of the rollers on the transmission shafts with the tread on said ring is adapted to be effected by centrifugal force generated by planetary rotation of the transmission shafts about the first and second rotatable inen'ibers, substantially as in the preferred form of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive.

The described method of driving the second rotatable member 2 renders the flanged formed on the inner surface. of the flangeV of" with the gears 35 and 28 respectively,

head unnecessary and in the third modication it is entirely 'dispensed with.

Describing said modification with particular reference to Figs. 20 and 21, 1 and 2 designate the first and second rotatable members, respectively, 3 to transmission shafts, 4 to 43 and 5 to 53 setsof gears secured to said transmission shafts, 35 the gear on the first rotatable member with which the gears 4 to 43 on the transmission shafts intermesh, 252 the ring secured within the chamber defined by the frame or casing A on which the tread 163 and the vinternal gear 242 are formed, 143 rollers on the transmission shafts adapted to contact with the tread 163 which define pitchline engagement of the gears 4 to 43 with the Ygear 35 on the first rotatable member and with the internal gear 243, 39 the gear secured to the second rotatable member with whichthe gears 5to 53 on the transmission shafts intermesh and 19 the floating ring formed on which is a tread 17 3 Contact of the rollers 153 on the transmission shafts with which, define pitch-line engagement of the gears 5 to 53 on the transmission shafts with the gear 39, and 87 and 38 are rollers mounted within the rollers 143 and 153 respectively, adapted to maintainthe transmission shafts 3 to 33 in positions corresponding substantially toV pitch-line engagement of the gears 4 to 43 and 5 to 53 with the gears 35 and 39, respectively, in positions of. rest.

Outer members provided with treads which co-operate with rollers on the transmission shafts to define pitch-line engagement of intermeshing gears, are essential features of my improved transmission device and are always present in some form in any embodiment thereof. ln some cases, however, where the spider 10, and the bearing members 12 for the transmission shafts are sufliciently long and said bearing members and the seats or cradles therefor inthe spider arevice, the combination of rotatable members mounted in axial alignment with each other,

comprising a first member adapted to be power driven and a second member, transmission shafts mounted in spaced relation to saidA rotatable members sov as to permit planetary movement thereof about said rotatable members and also rotation on their own axes, means rendered operative by rotation of said first rotatable member for imparting planetary rotation to said transmission shafts about said rotatable members and also on their own axes, constructed and arranged to permit movement of said transmission shafts outwardly relatively to said rotatab e'members under centrifugal force, intermeshing gears on said transmission shafts and said second rotatable member, and means rendered operative by centrifugal force produced by planetary rotation of said transmission shafts for effecting and maintaining pitch-line engagement of said gears in operation.

2. A differential power transmission device as specified in claim 1, in which the means for maintaining pitch-line engagement of the gears which drive said second rotatable member comprises rollers on said transmission shafts and a part provided with an internal tread opposed to said rollers, the relation being such that contact of said rollers with said tread will define pitch-line engagement of said gears, and such also that, in operation, centrifugal force produced by planetary rotation of said transmission shafts will effect and maintain contact of said rollers with said tread.

3 A differential power transmission device as specified in claim 1, in which the means for maintaining pitchsline engagement of the gears which drive said second rotatable member comprises rollers on said transmission shafts, and parts provided with internal and external cylindrical treads, respectively, opposed to said rollers vand positioned outside and inside, respectively, thereof, the relation being such that Contact of said rollers with said outer internal tread will define pitch-line engagement of said gears, and such also that in operation, centrifugal force produced by planetary rotation of the transmission shafts will effect and maintain engagement of the rollers on said transmission shafts with said outer, internal tread, and the external tread on the part positioned inside of the transmission shafts being sufdciently smaller than the diameter of a circle inscribed within and tangent to the rollers opposed thereto when said rollers are in contact with the outer internal tread to provide desired clearance between said rollers and said external tread.

4. ln a differential power transmission device, the combination of rotatable members mounted in axial alignment with each other, comprising a first member adapted to be power driven, and a second member, transmission shafts mounted in spaced relation to said rotatable members so as to permit planetary movement thereof about the same and also rotation on their own axes, means rendered operative. by rotationof said first rotatable member for imparting planetary rotation to said transmission shafts about said rotatable members and also on their own axes ufl constructed and arranged to permit movement ot' said .transmission shafts outwardly relative to said rotatable members under centrifugal force, inter-meshing gears on said transmission shafts and said second rotatable member, sets of rollers on said transmission shafts, parts provided with internal treads opposed to and which surround said sets ot rollers, respectively, the relation being suoli that said treads will limit outward movement oft said transmission shafts under centri'f; "al force and suoh 'also that contact of one of' said sets oit rollers with their opposed tread will define pitch-line engagement ot' the gears for driving 'said vsecond rotatable member.

5. A differential transmission device specified in claim d, in which the intcrmeshing gears which drive the second rotatable member comprise an external gear secured thereto and positioned. in the space within the set of gears on the transmission shalt-s with which it engages, and the part 'on which the internal tread opposed to the set ot rollers on the transmission shafts which defines pitchdine engagement 'of the gears lor driving said second rotatable member, is supported only by the rollers oo-operating therewith and is free to turn in opposite directions.

6. A differential transmission vdevice as specified in 'claim i, in which the intermeshing gears which drive the second rotatable mem ber comprise an 'external gear secured thereto and positioned in the spa-ce within the set or gears on the transmission shatts with which it engages, and the part on which the :internal tread opposed to the set of' rollers on the transmission shatts which define pitch-line err gagement of the gears tor driving said second rotatable member, is supported only by the rollers co-operating` therewith and is iree t turn in `opposite directions and which also comprises a part positioned in the space within the rollers on the transmission shafts cons tact o1 which with the internal tread which surrounds said rollers defines pitcl1-line engagement of the gears which drive the second rotatable'member, provided with an external tread the/diameter of which is sufici Y/ntly less than the diameter of a circle inscribed within and tangent to the associated rollers when in Contact with the surrounding internal tread to provide ,desired clearance between the surfarces ot said rollers -and said inner vexternal tread.

7. A 'differential power transmisison device as specified in claim l, which also comprises parts positioned in the spaces within the ditferent sets of rollers on the transmission shafts, provided with cylindrical external treads, opposed, respectively, to different sets of rollers Ion 'said transmission shafts, the diameters of the treads thereon, respectively,

'b eing snflioiently less than the diameters of circles inscribed within and tangent to the rollers on the transmisison shafts opposed to the treads on said parts, respectively, when l in contact with the internal treads which limit their movement und-er centrifugal force, to provide desired clearance between said `sots of rollers and the external treads on said parts associated with sets ot rollers, respectively.

8. A differential power transmission device as specified in claim l., 'in which the means for mounting the transmission shafts and tor imparting planetary movement thereto about the rotatable members and also on -their lown axes, comprises bearing members provi-ded with bearings to which said transmission shafts are litted so as to turn freely, a spider secured to the first rotatable member provided with cradles or recessed seats in its perimeter in which said bearing members are seated and oon-fined, 'said cradles or recessed seats being constructed and arranged to .permitl movement of said bearing men'ibers and shafts outwardly from `said rotatable mcmbers under centrifugal force to effect engage` ment cf the rollers on said shafts with the internal treads opposed thereto, respectively,

9. A differential power transmission 'device as specified in claim l, in which the means for imparting axial rotation to the transmis sion shafts* comprise gears secured thereto and a gear mounted in fixed position in the space within the gears on said transmission shafts and which intermeshes therewith.

10. A differential power transmission device as specified in claim 4, in which 'the moan-s for imparting axial rotation to the transmission 'shafts comprisegears secured thereto and a gear mounted in fixed position in the space wit-hin the gears on said transmission shafts and which intermesh there with, and the driving connection between the transmission shafts and the 'second rotatable member comprises a set of gears on said transmission shafts and a 'gear lsecured to the second rotatable member positioned in the space within the set of gears on said transmission shaft and which intermeshes therewith. v

ll. A differential power transmission device as specified in claim 4, in which the means for imparting axial rotation to the transmission shafts comprise gears secured thereto and a gear mounted in fixed position in the space within the gears on said transmission shaits and which intermesh'es there-- with, and the driving connection between the transmission shafts and the second rotatable member comprises a set of gears on said transmission shafts and a gear secured tothe second rotatable member in the space within the set of gears on said transmission shaft and which intermeshes therewith, the parts on which the outer intern-al treads are formed being supported only by the rollers on the transmission shafts with which they are associated, respectively, and being free to turn in opposite directions.

12. A dierential power transmission device as specified in claim 4, in which the means for imparting axial rotation to the transmission shafts comprises a set of gears secured thereto and a gear mounted in fixed position in the space within said set of gears and which intermeshes therewith, and the driving connection between the transmission shafts and the second rotatable member comprises a set of gears on said transmission shafts and a gear secured to the second rotatable member positioned in the space within the set of gears on said transmission shaft associated therewith and which intermeshes therewith, the parts on which the outer internal treads are formed being supported only by the rollers on the transmission shafts with which they are associated, respectively, and being free to turn in opposite directions, and which also comprises means for centering said outer internal treads with reference to the first and second rotatable members, respectively.

13. A diiferential power transmission device as speciiied in claim l, in which the means for imparting axial rotation to the transmission shafts comprises setsof gears secured thereto and a gear mounted in fixed position in the space within said set of gears and which intermeshes therewith, and t-he driving connection between the transmission shafts and the second rotatable member comprises a set of gears on said transmission shafts and a gear secured to the second rotatable member positioned in the space within the set of gears on said transmission shafts associated therewith and which intermeshes therewith, theparts on which the outer internal treads are formed being supported only by the rollers on the transmission shafts with which they are associated, respectively, and being free to turn in opposite directions and which also comprises means for centering said outer internal treads with reference to the iirst and second rotatable members, said means comprising parts positioned in the spaces within the sets of rollers on said transmission shafts provided with treads opposed to said sets of rollers, the diameters of said treads being sufficiently less than the diameters of circles inscribed within and tangent to the sets of rollers on said transmission shafts when in contact with the outer internal treads opposed thereto, respectively, to provide desired clearance between t-he treads of said parts and opposed rollers.

ln witness that I claim the foregoing as my invention, l affix my signature this 21st day of June, 1928.-

JAMES W. LYONS. 

